Historic house goes under the hammer at 1.5m

Boclair House, one of Bearsden’s most iconic buildings, is being sold for £1.5 million.

DM Hall Chartered Surveyors has been appointed as the selling agent for the former East Dunbartonshire Council building on Milngavie Road.

The magnificent red sandstone Tudor Gothic mansion, which is Category B listed, has been a local landmark and an aesthetic treasure since it was built by the Buchanan sisters of Bellfield in 1890.

Mr Graeme Todd, partner at DM Hall, said: “Its delightful landscaped gardens to the front are a favourite spot in spring for wedding photographs as the mature trees are covered in thick drifts of white and pink cherry blossom.

“Sitting in 3.3 acres of ground, the two-storey building boasts a castellated tower, and squared side towers but its most distinguishing feature is a series of arches to the front, creating a covered walk reminiscent of Italian cloisters.

“We anticipate considerable interest given its landmark status and the fact that it is so close to all local amenities and transport facilities.”

The 12,690 sq ft property, at the bottom of Boclair hill, was assumed by Bearsden Burgh in 1962 and has been used since then as council offices, latterly by East Dunbartonshire Council, which is selling it off.

Originally called the Buchanan Retreat, the mansion was built from legacies left by three sisters, the Misses Buchanan of Bellfield in Ayrshire, who wished to provide for poorer members of the Buchanan clan in their declining years.

In due course, the restriction to those of the Buchanan name was removed and it became a home for elderly men until the town council acquired the property and it was opened as the Municipal Buildings by Princess Margaret and her husband Lord Snowdon in 1962.

The rear section of the site, which also has potential for redevelopment, contains two semi-detached bungalows and garage premises, which are vacant, plus an area of woodland.